PRISM Hosts Northern New Jersey Science Education Leaders for Breakfast and Collaboration

Montclair State University’s Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) hosted the Northern NJ Science Educational Leaders Breakfast on Friday, September 25, at its Bloomfield location. The gathering provided an opportunity to share successes, discuss common challenges, and strengthen connections among school districts.

Participants represented a broad cross-section of northern New Jersey schools, including Kearny, Nutley, Rutherford, Dumont, Pequannock Township, Westwood Regional, Pascack Valley Regional, Hanover Park Regional, Northern Highlands, Park Ridge, and Bergen County Technical Schools. Their perspectives connected the work of municipal, regional, and county technical school districts around shared goals for science teaching and learning.

Discussion focused on scientific literacy and preparing students for college, particularly expectations for laboratory skills and scientific writing. Participants explored ways to help students make connections across science and mathematics through shared vocabulary and to make learning more meaningful through student choice and real-world issues, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Educators also exchanged classroom resources and opportunities involving science journalism, engineering, and space exploration.

The meeting highlighted encouraging feedback about PRISM’s EcoExplorers Elementary STEM Academy and its influence on teachers’ classroom work. PRISM shared upcoming professional learning opportunities and discussed ways districts could connect with the College of Science and Mathematics Science Teaching Program to support future science educators.

The conversation is already informing next steps. The group is planning a spring gathering that would combine an administrators’ roundtable with a panel of Montclair State University faculty in science, mathematics, and writing. Possible faculty visits to high school classrooms would help ground that exchange in students’ and teachers’ experiences. Additional ideas include an EcoExplorers capstone celebration and potential collaboration with Teachers in Space.

The breakfast strengthened an ongoing partnership in which school leaders, teachers, university faculty, and future educators can learn from one another and elevate science learning in our region together.